Maximilian Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Füllkrug, Luis Guilherme, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodríguez, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler. All brought in last June for 144 million euros, along with former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julian Lopetegui. The result? 14th place in the Premier League with only six wins and 12 points below the European qualifications place. Even the most loyal West Ham fans are beginning to wonder if they were right to celebrate the departure of David Moyes back in May 2024. And just over six months into his role, Lopetegui’s tenure as the Hammers’ coach could come to an end. As pictured by a cunning photographer, West Ham brass is negotiating with ex Chelsea boss Graham Potter. EXCLUSIVEPOTTER AND TIM pic.twitter.com/2SAhl36mru— Central (@WestHam_Central) January 6, 2025 A photo of technical director Tim Steidten, who has not been present at West Ham’s training ground for three weeks, holding discreet talks with Potter at a venue believed to be the Stratford Hotel emerged on social media yesterday as pressure on Lopetegui grew. There were already several occasions when the Spaniard was on the verge of sack, but he always managed to avoid it, either with a good result (a win in Newcastle for example), or with club’s director’s hesitance to sack a manager he chose personally just six months ago. Graham Potter explains his Chelsea failureThe results are not the only problem for Lopetegui. Almost all of new players were his idea, and they failed to show their quality so far. Niklas Fulkurg arrived for 27 million and was usually injured, while young England hope Summerville failed to score more than one goal in 19 appearances so far. Young Guilherme was Steidten’s choice but failed to leave his mark also. That also led to frictions between Steidten and Lopetegui, which is never a good sign. In fact, the Spaniard told the German to stay away from the training ground, and he hasn’t been seen there for three weeks, but West Ham still lost some games. Lopetegui has two games to save his jobDaily Mail found out that the club’s owner David Sullivan and Potter have held further discussions over the last 24 hours. If they agree, Lopetegui’s position will become untainable, especially after FA Cup duel with Aston Villa on Friday, which the Hammers are expected to lose. Edin Terzic, Michael Carrick and Sergio Conceicao (now with AC Milan) were among the names the club have also considered to replace Lopetegui, but the club owners prefer a man with Premier League experience, and Potter ticks all the boxes. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8617638##
